TL;DR: Meet & Greet at Exeter Airport is the most convenient option because you drop your car near the terminal and a driver parks it for you. Park & Ride saves money but involves parking off‑site and taking a shuttle, so choose based on whether convenience or price matters more.

Which option suits you best?

For most travellers, meet & greet offers the easiest start to a trip from Exeter Airport. You drive straight to the short‑stay car park opposite the terminal, hand your keys to a fully insured driver and walk to departures. Your car is stored securely off‑site and returned to the same spot when you come home. This convenience makes meet & greet ideal for families, travellers with lots of luggage or anyone who values their time. Park & ride, by contrast, requires you to park in a long‑stay lot, keep your keys and take a shuttle or walk a longer distance to the terminal. It’s often cheaper and suits budget‑conscious travellers who don’t mind the extra steps.

What is Meet & Greet parking?

Meet & greet is like having a valet at the airport. You drive directly to Car Park P1, just 120 yards from the terminal, and meet a uniformed driver who checks your car’s condition and takes it to a secure compound. When you return, your flight is tracked and your car is brought back to the same location. Because it eliminates the need to look for a space or wait for a bus, meet & greet is especially helpful for families, people with mobility issues and those carrying heavy bags.

Pros of Meet & Greet

• Convenience – no searching for a space or taking a shuttle; you’re right by the terminal.
• Time saving – perfect if you’re in a hurry or carrying lots of luggage.
• Peace of mind – cars are stored in secure compounds with CCTV and barrier entry, and keys are tagged and locked in a secure cabinet.
• Walk straight to check‑in – no long walk with suitcases.

Cons of Meet & Greet

• Costs more than park & ride, although some deals narrow the difference.
• You must hand over your keys, which some drivers prefer not to do.

What is Park & Ride parking?

Park & ride means you park your own car in a long‑stay car park and keep the keys. You then either walk a longer distance or take a shuttle bus to the terminal. This service is often cheaper and is similar to parking in Exeter Airport’s P3 or P4 car parks.

Pros of Park & Ride

• Usually the cheapest option per day.
• You keep control of your keys and know exactly where your car is parked.
• Good if you don’t mind the extra time or walking.

Cons of Park & Ride

• Requires more time for the shuttle or walk to the terminal.
• Carrying heavy luggage on a bus can be inconvenient.
• Not ideal if you have mobility issues or are travelling with small children.

Why choose one over the other?

Meet & greet is best if convenience, speed and peace of mind are your priorities. It’s particularly useful for families, older travellers or anyone with lots of luggage. Park & ride works well if you’re looking to save money and don’t mind a little extra time. At Exeter ValetPort we specialise in meet & greet, offering secure storage, flight tracking and a professional service. Our prices start from £7 per day, so the convenience might be more affordable than you think.

Key takeaways

• Meet & greet lets you drop your car near the terminal and avoids shuttle buses.
• Park & ride is cheaper but requires extra time and effort.
• Choose meet & greet for convenience, especially if you have lots of luggage or limited mobility.
• Pick park & ride if you’re focused on budget and don’t mind a shuttle.
• Booking with Exeter ValetPort provides secure storage and friendly service at competitive prices